Communication is the key to success in many areas of life. It is an essential part of a missionary's life. Typically a new worker arriving in Taiwan to begin working will spend three or four years minimum in full- and part-time language study, only to realize that no matter how much time is spent studying, rarely will one enjoy the depth in this second language that one does in a first language.

So what can we do? We can maximize our effectiveness by learning as much as we can about the way people think about religion, and the interaction between religion and daily life here. Then we work to find points of contact between our faith and the understanding of the people to whom we are reaching out. But without an intimate knowledge of the local culture and language, our attempts to communicate the gospel can go astray.

Table of Content

Getting It: Are They Hearing What You're Saying?

Say What? by Barry Owen

The Chinese Concept of Shame and the Communication of the Gospel by Scott Powell

When we were new Christians we were encouraged to have daily Bible reading and prayer; scripture memorization was also encouraged. The methods with which we do this may have changed with time, our spiritual life goes up and down, but the purpose remains the same-personal attempts to daily, "connect" with our Maker. When one begins this kind of relationship with God then all effort is taken out, but it isn't easy. Spiritual discipline is still required, which requires even more effort.

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Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual Disciplines for the Undisciplined by Anne Alexander

A Prayer of Weariness by Randy and Nanci Alcorn

Abiding in Christ by Wright Doyle

Our Quiet Time by Arlene Huang

Striving for Spiritual Discipline by Angela Symonds

Learning to Praise by Judy Newquist

An Introduction to the Disciplines of Solitude and Community by Timothy Meier

Centering on Christ by Ruth P. Harbour

Experiential Theology

A Reading List for Spiritual Disciplines complied by Anne Alexander and Timothy Meier

Response to Shame Article by Sheldon Sawatzky

Becoming a Servant like Jesus by Dr. Avery Willis

A Gospel Warrior

Regular Features

Meditation for Missionaries: Finding the Pause Button by Becky McMillan

Missionary Profile: New on the Menu by Matthew James Coop

MK Issues: Making Vacations Educational by Andrea Rusk

Missionary Glimpses: Friends and Neighbors in Tantze by Leslie Barnard

We hear of new Buddhist hospitals, schools and even Universities. All these new Buddhist ventures seem to be welcomed by both the people and the media, and always get good reports in the papers as well as on TV. In contrast Christianity is still not widely accepted, and its message is little understood by the majority of the population. The articles in this edition of the magazine will help us understand both the recent changes in Buddhist thinking, and the way people in Taiwan think, and how they view the world, as well as giving us helpful apologetic material for discussion with our non-Christians friends especially in the area of understanding the Hungry Ghost month.

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The Modern Face of Buddhism

Modern Buddhism by Amos Wang Jui-chen

The New Face of Buddhism in Modern Taiwan by Wang Jung-chang

Gripped by Fear by Dr. Wang Wu Tsong

The Birth of the Taiwan Expatriate Caring Committee by Alain Haudenschlld

How will they hear unless someone goes to them? Usually 'evangelism' consists of Christians inviting non-Christians to come into the church building to hear. Most non-Christians are too uncomfortable in that environment. There seem to be two ways to tackle this problem. One is to train local Christians to go and reach traditional Taiwanese (i.e., work within the local church). The other is to start churches specifically for people who don't have a church background, and then train these people to reach out to people like themselves.

Table of Content

How Will They Hear

How Will They Hear? by Christine Dillon

OMF Taiwan's New Vision and Strategy

How Will We Reach the Working-Class People of Taiwan? by Amy Gibson

Reaching out to Grass Roots by Ailyn Tanuan-Dean and Adam Dean

Snake Alley Changing, One at a Time by Tera van Twillert

Ray of Hope complied by Leslie Barnard

The Most Spiritually Needy Areas of Taiwan by George McFall

ORTV Reaches Out by Ruth Devlin

The Hakka by Alain Haudenschild

Can We Have Peace? by the Rev. Dr. Wang Wu-Tsong, translated by Annie Laurinkari

Lead Like Jesus: TMF Annual Conference 2004 by Bev Skiles

2004 Memorials compiled by Ted Skiles

2004 Retirees compiled by Ted Skiles

Regular Features

Meditations for Missionaries: The Inward and Outward Journey of the Spiritual Life by James Kim Crutchfield